Politics
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has urged the National Assembly to establish a Federal Capital Territory Rent Tribunal to protect tenants from arbitrary rent increases.
The association accused successive National Assemblies of failing to enact a comprehensive legal framework regulating landlord-tenant relations in the FCT after nearly 27 years of democratic rule.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group described the current rental system in Abuja as exploitative.
HURIWA alleged that landlords imposed arbitrary rent increases without consultation, accountability or legal restraint.
The group said the absence of adequate regulation had left millions of residents vulnerable to exploitation by property owners.
It also alleged that the landlord of its national headquarters increased the annual rent for its one-room office from N1 million to N3 million without prior consultation.
According to HURIWA, the 200 per cent increase was imposed without corresponding improvements in facilities or services.
The association said many tenants across Abuja faced rent increases of between 50 and 200 per cent, often without notice or justification.
It added that tenants were frequently threatened with eviction for questioning such increases despite poor maintenance and inadequate infrastructure.
HURIWA said the situation had displaced families, increased living costs, forced businesses to close and worsened poverty.
It warned that the housing challenge had become a human rights issue capable of fueling homelessness, inequality and social instability.
The group called on the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and lawmakers representing the FCT to initiate legislation establishing an independent FCT Landlords and Tenants Tribunal.
It said the proposed tribunal should mediate disputes, regulate arbitrary rent increases, protect landlords and tenants, guarantee due process before eviction and promote transparency.
HURIWA also advocated the establishment of an independent Landlords and Tenants Ombudsman to receive complaints, investigate abuses and encourage mediation.
The association further urged the Nyesom Wike to convene an emergency stakeholders’ summit involving tenants’ associations, estate surveyors, consumer protection agencies, civil society organisations and landlords.
It said the summit should develop practical and sustainable solutions to the housing challenges facing residents of the FCT.
HURIWA pledged to continue engaging relevant institutions and pursuing lawful democratic measures until stronger legal protections were provided for tenants in Abuja.
F.O
Tags: FCTA rent tribunal HURIWA